Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeE6457-WePeE6461 201

writing research documentation, preparation for presentation, and model development.
Recommendations: In order to develop new knowledge useful for teaching and
development, the academic institutions should take roles in participatory learning
with organizations and communities. They should learn from others and share
their academic potential, knowledge and technology to others in all levels and
settings.
Presenting author: Wilawan Senaratana, 110/348 Inthawaroros Road, Faculty
of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6457 Commitment to communities
A. Nyitray, V. Leybas-Amedia. Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, Tucson, AZ
United States
Issues: While HIV science-based models demonstrate effectiveness they are
not easily generalizable. However, all targeted HIV prevention programs share
the common denominator of serving specific groups of people. Because of this,
it becomes increasingly important that preventionists involve communities when
adapting science-based models. Women, men, and youth have valuable expertise
about their families, cultures, and communities. Involving them in the adaptation
process taps into the expertise of the community. Further, people have tremendous influence and can be coaches for change within their neighborhood, families,
and circle of friends.
Description: The presenters will give examples from four HIV prevention programs serving four different populations, i.e., Latino men who have sex with men,
12 - 15 year old African American and Latino youth, men who frequent gay bars,
and 14 - 18 year old Latino youth. These programs are produced by the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) which is the only AIDS service organization
in southern Arizona along the United States/ Mexico border. Conference participants will hear real life stories of how four projects engaged their intended communities in the adaptation of the Popular Opinion Leader Model developed by
Jeffrey Kelly, Ph.D.
Lessons learned: 1) the importance of a community-driven project, 2) how to
involve the intended community, 3) how to adapt a science-based model to serve
specific groups in their own context, and 4) how to integrate/adapt science-based
substance abuse and HIV prevention models.
Recommendations: To carry the SAAF experience to other communities and
researchers through publications and presentations. As a result, the body of literature documenting the necessity of community-driven projects broadens. Further,
integrating the community into HIV prevention becomes a standard practice.
Presenting author: velia leybas-amedia, 375 s. euclid avenue, tucson, arizona,
85719, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
WePeE6458] Achieving competency- based assessment and
training of Australian HIV/AIDS peer educators
J.A. Wylie1, M. McMahon2, A. Madden3. 1Australian Federation of AIDS
Organisations, Darlinghurst, NSW Australia; 2Sex Worker Outreach Project
AIDS Council of NSW, Sydney, Australia; 3Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug
Users League, Canberra, Australia
Issues: To design, develop and evaluate a national training framework for
HIV/AIDS peer educators which will: provide for the development of a highly
skilled workforce; enhance effective service delivery and; improve existing health
outcomes.
Description: Three national peak bodies are developing unique training
programs that provide a structured,systematic and sustainable approach to
HIV/AIDS education through the development of nationally recognised competency standards for the assessment and training of HIV/AIDS peer educators.
Information collected at national workshops with educators was used to customise compulsory and elective units of two community work vocational education
qualifications.
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and member organisations the Scarlet Alliance (SA) and the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users
League (AIVL)are each undertaking national assessment and training projects.
These nationally networked community organisations work with gay and other
men who have sex with men (AFAO), sex workers (SA) and intravenous/illicit drug
users (AIVL).
Each organisation has worked with their educators to adapt the national community work competency standards to reflect the skills, values, affitudes and knowledge required by educators to effectively work with their target groups. For the first
time these adapted standards are being used to assess and train peer educators
so that they can attain nationally recognised qualifications.
Lessons learned: The preparatory and investigative research and consultations
undertaken with a representative range of educators has ensured a high level

of commitment and involvement with the development of a competency based
approach to the national training framework.
Recommendations: That the design, development and implementation of future
HIV/AIDS training projects involve a representative range of educators in an action learning process.
Presenting author: Julie Wylie, Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, P

O Box 876, Darlinghurst 1300, NSW, Australia, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +612
9281 1074, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6459 HIV/AIDS and South Asian Americans: Is there a
problem?
S. Krishnamoorthy, L. Groetzinger. School of Public Health, University of Illinois,
3420 N Seminary, Chicago, United States
Issue: HIV related knowledge and beliefs among South Asian Americans in US
are connected to a web of attitudes and behaviors about Sexual Health, and the
lack of knowledge on the part of public health and social services service sector
for South Asian Communities within the context of HIV/AIDS framework.
Description: This study a transversal type has concerned a) Qualitative Interviews with Men from India and Pakistan living in United States b) Interviews with
staff and volunteers of NGOs working with South Asian Communities in US on
HIV/AIDS, MSM c) Both International and India related review of published literature on both risk taking and risk reduction behavior, including drug use and
culture specific assumptions
Results: Interviews and review of literature revealed that though South Asian
Community comprise one of the largest Asian American and Pacific Islanders
(AAPI) in U.S, Health Service research and Service planning have been impeded
by failure to collect desegregated AAPI data, by confusing "race" "country of origin" and "ethnicity". Paper will also discuss:
Historical Barriers including overcoming basic and unfounded assumptions
among and about South Asian Communities in US.
Resources Need for technical assistance and funding from state, federal, local
and other funding agencies to address HIV/AIDS issue among South Asian Communities.
Structure the development of culture specific and language specific and collaborative effort to develop program guidance, consultative process and national implementation of HIV/AIDS program for South Asian Communities in US.
Recommendations: Concrete examples, suggestions and recommendations for
developing components of Culture Specific Programs for South Asian Communities in US and elsewhere.
Presenting author: Sathia Krishnamoorthy, 3420 N Seminary, Chicago, United
States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: bluebirds1979
@hotmail.com
WePeE6460 Changes in Quality of Life of People Living with
HIV/AIDS in Ecuador
R. Ayarza, B. Reyes. Institution, Ramirez Davalos 258 y Paez, Quito, Ecuador
Information on the situation of people living with AIDS (PLHA) in Ecuador is virtually non- existent. Programs to respond to the needs of PLHA are made according
to assumptions and anecdotal information. In order to provide a more effective
response and to reduce discrimination and stigma towards PLHA, Corporacion
Kimirina undertook a qualitative study to determine: (1) the specific experiences
and changes in quality of life of PLHA according to sex, socio-economic status,
age and sexual orientation; (2) the impact of diagnosis according to the way it was
notified; (3) situations in which they have been discriminated. The study included
42 interviews and two focus groups to PLHA, in Quito and Guayaquil, the cities
with highest HIV/AIDS incidence in Ecuador.
Study results demonstrate that PLHA do not receive counseling before they receive their HIV test results, and few received post - counseling. Many described
periods of isolation, disorientation and depression immediately after receiving
their results. PLHA active participation in NGO, and sharing with other PLHA resulted in increased self-esteem and positive living. In a few cases, work with the
community gave PLHA leadership skills and international learning experiences
they had not had before they lived with HIV/AIDS.
In order to avoid traumatic experiences for PLHA and foster positive living, volunteer counseling and testing services and participatory work approaches that
empower PLHA must be established and/or strengthened in Ecuador.
Presenting author: Ruth Ayarza, Ramirez Davalos 258 y Paez, Quito, Ecuador,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6461 The role of community participation in the scaling
up of Voluntary Counseling and Testing services
in a rural area of Zimbabwe
S. Godfree B. Mwaramba, S. Manyenya, E. Serima. Zimbabwe Aids Prevention
and Support Organisation, po box CY 205, causeway harare, Zimbabwe
Background: In scaling up VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) services,
ZAPSO (Zimbabwe Aids Prevention and Support Organization), a local NGO
adopted a participatory approach in the planning and implementation stage of
the project cycle.

By applying qualitative research techniques the aim was to substantiate the quantitative data gathered during HIV/AIDS prevalence surveys and guide the introduction of the first rural based VCT service.
Methods: Using PRA (Participatory, Reflection and Action - formally Participatory Rural Appraisal), principals, methods and techniques in data analysis and
collection the communities views, perceptions and attitudes to HIV / AIDS and
VCT would be determined.